PhD Studentship: Establishing the Potential for Improved Management of Intermittent Sewage Discharges with Nature-based Solutions

Research Project Title: Establishing the Potential for Improved Management of Intermittent Sewage Discharges with Nature-based Solutions

Application closing date: 17/07/24

Start date: 30/09/2024

Type of opportunity

Fully-funded studentship

Eligibility & Related Project Details

Type of studentship: CDT

Fee status of eligible applicants: UK and International

Duration of Award if full time preferred*: 4 years

1st Supervisor: Dr Gabriela Dotro

2nd Supervisor: Dr Andrea Momblanch

Opportunity Reference No: SWEE0257

Embark on a thrilling, fully funded four-year PhD journey, with an enhanced stipend of £24,000 per year, and deliver new evidence on how nature-based solutions can reduce the occurrence and mitigate the impacts of intermittent discharges, such as sewage overflow (SO) spills on our natural watercourses. This cutting-edge research will look at how to engineer these green technologies to deliver the most environmental benefit, and enable smarter investments in water infrastructure and management. By joining this ambitious effort, you will contribute to improve the natural environment, the state of our rivers, and help shape future funding and policy strategies in the UK and abroad.

Water infrastructure in the UK relies on combined conveyance of sewage, surface runoff, and pre-treated industrial wastewater. Emergency overflows divert excess flows to receiving water courses or attenuation facilities to prevent sewage backing up. Initially designed for intermittent discharges, these overflows now routinely operate due to population growth, increased paved areas, infrastructure ageing, and water ingress, with only 40% of SO spilling less than the target 10 spills per year in 2023.

This PhD project has been co-developed with three water companies and the Environment Agency to address crucial gaps in knowledge needed to make nature-based solutions a central strategy for reducing occurrence and impact of SO spills. The objectives of the project include mapping land availability for nature-based solutions around SO; assessing expected SO contaminant loads; quantifying pollution, water volume attenuation and co-benefits provided by different nature-based solutions; and developing a prioritised portfolio of effective nature-based solutions for managing SO in selected catchments.

With this PhD, you will become an integral member of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe), a prestigious collaboration between Cranfield University, the University of Sheffield, and Newcastle University. The WIRe programme offers bespoke training that hones both technical and personal skills, alongside unique opportunities for research placements and access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class UK honours MSc degree, or equivalent, in a related discipline, such as environmental, ecological or civil engineering, environmental science, hydrology, ecology, water resources management, and geography. A full-UK driving license is essential beecause there's intensive field sampling involved to locations across the UK not accesbile via public transport. The ideal candidate should have some experience in setting up experimental trials and/or modelling.

Funding

The studentship is open to UK and international students (including EU countries) however due to funding rules, no more than 30% of the projects in this cohort can be allocated to international students.

Sponsored by EPSRC and three industrial partners, this studentship will cover: PhD fees; research equipment and consumables; and a stipend of £24,000 per annum.

How to apply

For further information please contact:
Name: Dr Gabriela Dotro
Email: [email protected]

Keywords: Nature-based Solution, Sewage Overflow, Pollution and Flow Attenuation, Co-benefit